infection of the nervous system Flashcards
classical features of meningitis
fever, neck stiffness and altered mental state, short presentation
what is meningitis
infection of the spinal meninges
what is meningococcal meningitis
Petechial skin rash that doesn’t go away then you press on it
what other things can cause meningitis
virus, fungal, sarcoidosis, malignancy, NSAIDS
what bacteria causes meningitis
neisseria meningitis, streptococcus pneumoniae
what is encephalitis
inflammation of the brain substance
symptoms of encephalitis
flu like symptoms, progressive headache associated with fever, seizures, memory disturbance- slower onset
investigation of meningitis
priority is to exclude and treat infection
1. blood cultures
2. lumbar puncture
investigation of encephalitis
blood cultures
imaging
lumbar puncture
EEG
contraindication to lumbar puncture
seizures, papilloedema (disc swelling), abnormal levels of consciousness , focal signs suggest brain mass
CSF findings in bacterial meningitis
increased pressure, high neutrophil (polycytes) count, reduced glucose and high protein
CSF findings in viral meningitis and encephalitis
normal pressure, high lymphocyte (monocytes) cell count, normal blood glucose and slightly increased protein
what is a brain abscess
localised area of pus within the brain substance
what is subdural empyema
thin layer of pus between dura and arachnoid membranes over the surface of the brain
causes of a brain abscess
penetrating head injury, spread from adjacent infection, blood borne infection
